Nothing new under the sun...
I am interested in installing foot wells for the rear passenger. Has anyone done this before to their already flying RV-4. Are they the same ones that go in the RV-8 Do you make them yourself or buy them pre made from Van's. Any info would be helpful.
Marv/John,
This is an age old question that has been discussed many times over the years on this forum. A quick reference to the search tab above will yield a plethora of usable data on virtually any RV related (and various other) subjects.
Many years ago, Van queried early RV4 builders via a survey as to what we would change in the newly designed but yet unreleased RV8. Passenger foot wells was one of the top requests.
An early RV4 builder (Paul McReynolds) crafted foot wells for his RV4, printed a set of plans and submitted them to the now defunct RV8R newsletter. They can be found in the
24 years of the RV8R book I highly recommend for any non builder of the original RV's. My friend Steve Sampson was savvy enough to post them on his blog during the construction of what I believe is the quintessential RV4, G-IKON. Here is a link to the plans.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_n0oPgd-_rrk/RsKwjmPQj0I/AAAAAAAAAW8/29nDfOhbf8A/s1600-h/HPIM0980.jpg
I built mine in a day of mild rivet work, cutting and fitting. Be careful that they are not too deep as the aileron pushrods will rub the bottom. One of the single best mods to the RV4 I made.
I added my own design rear rudder pedals that were basically stirrups that clamped to the rudder cables that folded out of the way or could be removed.
I considered my RV4 more like an
RV3 with big baggage and not a dual control, instruct from the rear seat airplane, nor would I ever put anyone in the front seat who wasn't qualified to solo it. My 2 cents.
Rear foot wells are highly recommended. Just do it...
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=56247
VAF link to one of many threads on subject.
V/R
Smokey